Chapter 19

Yi Ling had lived two lifetimes and had never encountered such a quiet moment.

In the pitch-black night, the distant nightlight only illuminated the rough outline of the person beside her.

But Yi Ling could feel Xie Hengzhizhi’s gaze sweeping over her face again and again, without him saying a single word.

Each moment of his silence made Yi Ling feel more nervous.

After a long while, so long that Yi Ling thought Xie Hengzhizhi had already decided how to kill her and silence her, he finally asked, “Who told you I was going to rebel?”

Contrary to the murderous atmosphere Yi Ling had imagined, Xie Hengzhizhi’s voice did not carry any hint of accusation.

He was simply expressing confusion about Yi Ling’s thoughts, and even the corners of his mouth, which usually wore a smile, had stiffened.

“Isn’t it?” Yi Ling stammered. “You’ve been staying at the manor these past few days instead of going to court… Could it be you’re plotting a rebellion?”

Another long silence.

Xie Hengzhizhi seemed to be holding back some frustration as he asked in a low voice, “You don’t know why I’ve stayed in the manor these days?”

Yi Ling blinked, “No, I don’t.”

Xie Hengzhizhi: “…”

This time, he genuinely laughed.

A laugh borne of frustration.

Of course, Yi Ling didn’t realize that Xie Hengzhizhi was laughing out of frustration.

She still stared at him blankly, waiting for him to give an explanation.

But instead, he shut his mouth, turned over, and left her with only his back.

Yi Ling could only stare at his cold back in a daze.

What does this mean?

Is he rebelling or not?

The next morning, Xie Hengzhizhi finally left the manor, entering the palace before dawn.

However, he had always been quiet when getting up, and Yi Ling, unaware, would usually wake up naturally, only to find the blankets beside her had lost their warmth.

Today, he was a bit louder and woke Yi Ling up when he threw off the blanket.

But she hadn’t slept well the night before and, groggily rubbing her eyes, quickly fell back asleep.

When she woke again, the sun was already high.

Xie Hengzhizhi had long since left, and the servants in the manor were no longer as stiff as before.

They chatted and laughed as they went about their work, and everything seemed to return to normal.

Only Yi Ling sat confused on the bed, staring blankly at everything in front of her.

At that moment, Mama Cao heard her moving and came in with a basin of clean water, asking, “Madam, you’re awake. Would you like some porridge first or should we prepare lunch?”

Yi Ling didn’t answer but instead asked, “Where’s Xie Hengzhizhi?”

Mama Cao said, “The master went to court.”

Yi Ling asked, “Did he leave any messages?”

Mama Cao thought for a moment and replied, “Oh, he did.”

Yi Ling immediately straightened up, straining her neck to listen.

Mama Cao, however, slowly rubbed a towel, carried it over, and started wiping Yi Ling’s face.

“The master said that you’ve been feeling a bit bored in the manor these past few days. Since it’s warm today, he suggested you go outside for a walk and enjoy the scenery.”

In plain terms, he was saying she had nothing to do and should go find herself something to do.

Yi Ling asked again, “Anything else?”

Mama Cao thought hard but eventually shook her head. “No.”

Just as her words fell, the sound of Mallow’s voice was heard outside.

It seemed she had been talking to someone. After a brief laughter like silver bells, she pushed the door open and entered with Xie Xuan.

“Madam, Miss made some snacks early this morning and specifically brought some for you!”

The two girls were around the same age, and though one was a servant and the other a young lady, both shared the same lively and spirited smile.

Yi Ling stared at them, and slowly, a thought rose in her heart—

Was she the only one in the entire Xie manor who was worrying?

---

Every year after the beginning of winter, the emperor of Great Liang Emperor would move his court sessions to the Xinuan Pavilion in Ganqing Palace.

At dawn, the cabinet scholars led by Zhou Ge Lao, along with the ministers of the six departments, stood at the front of the hall, facing the empty dragon throne, watching with steady focus, without speaking a word.

However, behind them, the more than forty officials were divided into two factions, arguing fiercely.

The focus of the dispute was naturally the incident where Xie Hengzhi broke into the Hehuan Palace that night.

The faction loyal to the Queen Mother accused Xie Hengzhi of disregarding the dignity of the royal family. Was he kicking the princess’s bedroom? He was trampling on the face of the royal family!

Such arrogance, it was as if he had no regard for the Emperor. Who knows if he harbors malicious intent, perhaps even plotting rebellion?

With such a serious accusation, Xie Hengzhi’s faction naturally did not sit idly by. They immediately countered by claiming that the princess had kidnapped a minister’s wife.

It was well known that the marriage between the Shang family and Xie Hengzhi was personally arranged by the Emperor. Wasn’t the princess’s behavior a slap in the Emperor’s face?

Moreover, on the day of the incident, everyone knew that Shang was unconscious due to her weakness at the Zhou residence. The princess, who was always so headstrong, could have caused any number of problems if Xie Hengzhi hadn’t arrived in time.

Furthermore, if the princess was allowed to continue bullying a minister’s wife, wouldn’t that make the whole court feel cold-hearted?

However, Xie Hengzhi had not appeared at court since the incident, and the officials were still arguing with no resolution.

When they went to the Zhou Ge Lao for a decision, all he could do was play it safe, saying that when the Emperor returned from seclusion, he would make a decision.

Everyone knew that Zhou was a puppet controlled by Xie Hengzhi, and since then, they stopped wasting time with him, continuing their verbal battle.

The arguing had gone on for several days, and today they intended to keep going since the one actually running the court wasn’t present.

Just as the Yu Shi was getting into a heated argument with someone else, suddenly the entire Xinuan Palace grew quiet for a moment.

Everyone turned to look at the door of the hall, each with their own thoughts, their gazes more piercing than the scorching summer sun.

Xie Hengzhi, who had been absent from work for several days, stepped in through the door, walking neither fast nor slow. Every step seemed to tread on someone’s tail.

The once chaotic hall fell silent, and officials immediately parted to make way for him.

He wore an unreadable, calm expression, and as his eyes swept across the room, those who had been shouting for him to be punished lowered their heads and even subtly backed away.

Finally, he stopped in front of the Yu Shi, who had been the most vocal, and stared at him for a long while.

Everyone knew that Xie Hengzhi was most terrifying when he didn’t say anything and just looked at you. No one knew what he was thinking or how he would strike back.

Before Xie Hengzhi spoke a word, the Yu Shi was already sweating profusely, with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Then—

When Xie Hengzhi finally smiled and reached out to adjust the man’s hat, the Yu Shi’s legs went weak, and he suddenly bent down, bowing deeply, “I apologize, I apologize!”

The five-day dispute had instantly turned into a joke.

–
By the time the court was dismissed, no one mentioned the Hehuan Palace incident anymore, as though nothing had happened.

The arguments from those days dissipated silently, like smoke.

However, when Xie Hengzhi was about to leave Xinuan Palace for Wenhua Hall, a Hanlin Academy scholar, Huang Xianlin, suddenly stood up and asked loudly, “May I ask, Master Xie,
why have you not attended court these past few days?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone held their breath, worried for him.

Huang Xianlin wasn’t from any particular faction; he was just a bookworm who didn’t understand social conventions.

Perhaps he genuinely thought Xie Hengzhi’s absence violated the court system.

However, this question was far from simple in Xie Hengzhi’s ears.

Xie Hengzhi stopped, turned his head, and glanced at him.

“Is there something you want to advise me on regarding accompanying and comforting my fragile wife, Lord Huang?”

Huang Xianlin: “……”

–
At that moment, Xie Hengzhi’s fragile wife was preparing to enjoy a big meal at home.

She had lost her appetite for the past few days, and despite her anxiety, she knew it was time to nourish herself.

Otherwise, by the time the imperial decree arrived, she might starve herself first, which wouldn’t be very smart.

Just as she sat down at the table, she heard the servant announce that the Crown Princess had arrived.

Unlike last time’s secretive visit, this time, Shen Shufang came in a very dignified manner, with full authority.

Ever since she sent the message to Yi Ling, she had felt that she and Yi Ling were now like sisters, so there was no need for formalities like sending invitations.

Just as Yi Ling picked up a spoon to drink some soup, thinking she would just have a small bite before going to greet her, she heard the servants kneeling outside, calling out, “Long live the Crown Princess!”

When she looked up, Shen Shufang had already entered, waved her hand to dismiss the other servants in the room, and sat down opposite Yi Ling.

“Mrs. Xie, why are you having breakfast so late?” 

Anyone unaware would think they were blood sisters from different mothers.

Yi Ling, still holding the spoon, froze for a moment before hurriedly getting up to salute.

“Greetings—”

“You and I are sisters; what formalities are these?”

Shen Shufang waved her hand to stop her and said, “I’m here to bring you some fun!”

Hearing this, Yi Ling didn’t have time to wonder when they had become sisters. Her eyes widened in curiosity and she asked, “What fun?”

“You don’t know? The Queen Mother’s expression today… ”

Shen Shufang only started the sentence before she laughed uncontrollably, holding her stomach, with tears almost running from her eyes.

She laughed for a full fifteen minutes, until she saw Yi Ling’s empty, slightly awkward gaze, and cleared her throat, ready to tell the rest of the story.

Of course, she only heard the first half of the story and didn’t know how Xie Hengzhi explained his five days of working from home.

“So, I went to the Cining Palace early this morning to pay my respects, and I watched in person as the Queen Mother’s face turned from pale to green. It was truly a sight!”

She laughed so hard her stomach hurt, wiping the corners of her eyes before continuing, “It’s a pity that these past few days, she’s been running around trying to pull strings and recruit people to impeach Xie Hengzhi, but no one paid any attention to her. She looked like a clown!”

Yi Ling: “…”

Does this mean the Queen Mother is truly powerless?

“If we wait for His Majesty to return…” Yi Ling leaned toward Shen Shufang and whispered, “Could there be any punishment?”

“I don’t think so.”

Shen Shufang said with firm conviction, “Your husband wouldn’t dismiss this matter lightly. He must have everything under control.”

Yi Ling still felt some concern: “But the princess is His Majesty’s most favored daughter…”

At this, Shen Shufang did not hide her smile, but her lips curled into a somewhat mocking smile.

“Being favored is one thing, but being trusted and favored? Those are two completely different things.”

Yi Ling didn’t fully understand what Shen Shufang meant, but she was certain that her earlier worries had been unfounded.

The impeachment from those officials wasn’t even a scratch for him.

Her anxious heart finally settled.

But for some reason, now that she knew she wouldn’t be punished alongside Xie Hengzhi, Yi Ling felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

Is there truly no one who can challenge him in this world?

Seeing Yi Ling lost in thought, Shen Shufang assumed she was still worried and suggested, “Madam, you’ve been cooped up at home for many days now. Why don’t we go out for a change of scenery?”

---

Since they were just going for a stroll, Shen Shufang reduced the number of guards, leaving four in front to clear the way and eight behind for protection, ensuring a light and easy outing.

Their destination wasn’t far—just a walk around the capital city. It was winter, and the trees in the mountains and forests had withered, so there wasn’t much to see. They decided to visit East Crown (Dongguan) Tower to take in a panoramic view of the capital.

The quickest route from the Xie residence to East Crown Tower was to pass through Hongzhao Alley, heading east along Liqin Garden.

Yi Ling was very familiar with this path, and just by hearing the sound of the carriage wheels, she knew exactly where they were.

In the distance, there were faint sounds of people talking. Shen Shufang listened intently and murmured, “Why is it so noisy?”

Yi Ling, still lost in her thoughts, didn’t raise her head but replied, “It’s probably just some commotion in Hongzhao Alley again.”

She then suddenly looked up, opened the carriage window, and glanced outside.

Sure enough, Hongzhao Alley was packed with people, all standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to look in a certain direction.

The focal point of their attention was naturally the Yi residence in Hongzhao Alley.

What was going on now?

Yi Ling craned her neck and watched for a while, unable to make sense of the situation. She quickly instructed Mallow to find out what was happening.

Before long, Mallow returned with the news.

“Madam, it seems there was a dispute between Commander Xue’s mother and the Yi family.”

Commander Xue?

Hearing the name, Yi Ling suddenly felt as though she had been struck by a sudden realization.
It had been so long since this person had appeared in her life—so long that she almost forgot he was the husband she had married in her past life, Xue Shengan.

But on their wedding day, Xue Shengan was reassigned by Xie Hengzhi to another region, and the Xue family forced her to return to her parental home. Yi Ling decided that they were dead to her, thinking she would never have any further ties with them in this life.

Although the Yi family had sent her to Qingyang, they, like her, were disgusted with the Xue family. So why would they now be quarreling at the front gate?

“What happened?”

Seeing Mallow blink in confusion, Yi Ling felt a chill in her heart. “You didn’t just find out that, did you?”

Mallow: “…”

“…Sigh, forget it.”

Shen Shufang, who had been watching the exchange between mistress and
maid, chuckled and waved her hand, sending one of her own servants to inquire further.

Not long after, the servant returned with a full report of the situation.

It was well known that Xue Shengan wanted to marry Yi Ling despite his widowed mother’s objections. When he went off to war in the southeast, his mother immediately made a scene and sent Yi Ling back to the Yi family.

Only a few months ago, Yi Ling’s belongings were returned to the capital, and the Emperor personally bestowed a memorial tablet in her honor. Xue’s mother pretended to be deaf and mute, as if her son had never married Yi Ling.

The reason for this was that for many years, people in the capital speculated that Xie Hengzhi had been in love with the Yi family’s daughter but couldn’t have her.

But recently, the entire capital had been buzzing with discussions about how deep Xie Hengzhi’s love and devotion were for his wife, Mrs. Shang.

People said that on the occasion of Grandmother Zhou’s birthday, Xie Hengzhi publicly declared that everything in his household was “decided by Madam” and later even risked his life to enter Princess Yu’an’s Hehuan Palace for her.

There had never been a man so deeply devoted to his wife in the entire Great Liang Dynasty!
Public opinion quickly shifted.

It was no wonder that Xie Hengzhi would be interested in a beautiful but otherwise inconsequential young lady from the Yi family.

There must have been some misunderstanding.

After reflecting on this, Xue’s mother realized the truth.

She also remembered Yi Ling’s imperial memorial tablet, which was an immense honor. Since a wife follows her husband’s lead, how could such an honor be left in her maternal family?

So, early that morning, she had brought her servants to the Yi residence to demand “the person.”

Such a shameless request would have made anyone else the subject of ridicule, but Xue’s mother was not one to care about face.

Unlike the Yi family, who were from a prestigious background, Xue’s mother was once a poor widow from the countryside, known for her unruly and shameless behavior. Yet, sometimes luck favored people—when the Emperor was traveling east, a once-in-a-century storm hit the river, and the Emperor and his guards were swept away.

Xue Shengan, who was skilled in swimming, leapt into the water to rescue the Emperor. From that moment on, he rose to prominence, becoming an Imperial Guard. After three years of personal protection, he quickly rose through the ranks to become the Commander of the Five Cities Military Division.

Xue’s mother, a widow who had raised her son alone, had never been bound by any notions of propriety. She marched straight into the Yi residence, clutching Yi Ling’s memorial tablet, demanding to leave with it.

The Yi family had never witnessed such a scene. By the time they realized what was happening, Xue’s mother was already at the door, and they hurried to follow her with their servants.

Thus, two prominent families in the capital found themselves publicly arguing without shame.

At this time, Yi Ling and Shen Shufang’s carriage quietly and smoothly arrived at a vacant spot beside the Yi residence.

This location was hidden and inconspicuous, but it allowed them to clearly hear the ongoing argument.

Yi Ling, with her hand pressed to her forehead, watched coldly as her biological parents and mother-in-law argued fiercely over her memorial tablet, their faces red with anger.

“As it’s always been, a woman belongs to her husband once she marries. From that moment on, she becomes part of her husband’s family. Even if the King of Heaven himself comes, your daughter is still a member of the Xue family! You’ve taken the memorial tablet and refused to return it, and yet you still think you have the right?”

Xue’s mother, short in stature but adorned with many golden and silver hairpins, was quite a sight. Even though it had just become winter, she wore a rabbit fur cap, which, combined with her domineering attitude, made her look rather comical.

She didn’t care whether the onlookers thought she was a joke. Clutching the memorial tablet, she pointed toward the imperial palace.

“If you have the guts, go report this to the authorities. Even if it reaches the Emperor, this lonely widow still has her reasons!”

On the Yi side, Lady Yi, a well-bred noblewoman, could never engage in such a public quarrel.

She was being supported by her maids, her face flushed with embarrassment, looking like she might faint.

Yi Shangshu, a learned man, was equally reluctant to physically wrestle for the memorial tablet. He only instructed his servants to stop Xue’s mother while standing on the steps, lecturing her with righteous indignation.

“How can this be? On the second day of our wedding, you sent our daughter back, and since then, she’s had no family but the Yi household! Even in death, she belongs to the Yi family!”

Yi Ling changed the hand propping her forehead, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

It was unclear whether her father believed his own words when he spoke them.

Upon hearing this, Xue’s mother suddenly changed her expression and broke into a wide grin.

“Father-in-law, what are you saying? Was she really ‘sent back’? I allowed Ling’er to return to her mother’s house to recuperate because I was worried I wouldn’t be able to care for such a precious daughter. Why is my kindness being misunderstood?”

She shook her head, holding the memorial tablet. “Besides, my son and Ling’er are legally married, and the marriage contract is still in my house. Yi Shangshu can claim whatever he likes, but do you have a divorce or annulment letter?”

Yi Shangshu was so enraged that he couldn’t speak, only pointing at her face.

“You! You!”

“Both disgraceful and hypocritical, not a single decent person! Do you really think the public has forgotten how both our families treated Miss Yi back then?”

Shen Shufang coldly finished his sentence, intending to look to Yi Ling for support. When he turned, he realized she was gone.

Where did she go?

While Shen Shufang muttered to himself, Yi Ling had already calmly gotten out of the carriage.

“Actually, this matter isn’t hard to resolve. Why trouble Yi Shangshu and Mrs. Xue to argue so much?”

She adjusted her cloak and held a hand warmer, walking gracefully toward the main entrance of the Yi residence with Mallow’s help.

The noisy scene at the Yi residence abruptly quieted when Yi Ling appeared.

The commoners, unsure of who the beautifully dressed woman was, gazed in awe at her extraordinary beauty and demeanor.

Mrs. Xue, who had never seen Yi Ling before, stepped back cautiously, holding the memorial tablet, and warily asked, “Who are you?”

Yi Ling ignored her and smiled at Yi Shangshu and his wife.

The couple immediately understood that Yi Ling was there to help. They hurriedly bow respectfully.

“Since Mrs. Xie is here to mediate, then please listen closely, Mrs. Xue. This memorial tablet truly belongs to which family!”

Upon hearing “Mrs. Xie” and seeing Yi Shangshu’s couple treating the young woman with such respect, Mrs. Xue’s face turned pale for a moment.

She awkwardly bowed and stammered, “So it’s Mrs. Xie; I apologize for my rudeness.”

She then looked up and cautiously asked, “Such family matters; is it really right to trouble Madam?”

Yi Ling did not wait for her to finish and suddenly reached out her hand.

From the Yi family’s attitude, Mrs. Xue immediately realized that this noblewoman was aligned with them.

Frustrated, she could only grind her teeth and reluctantly hand over the memorial tablet to Yi Ling.

After Yi Ling received it, she did not speak.

She merely studied the unremarkable wooden memorial tablet closely.

If it weren’t for the “Imperial Gift” inscription, it would likely be considered an unlucky item, discarded in some corner, unwanted by anyone.

Yi Ling stared at it for a long time, and no one dared to disturb her.

Finally, she suddenly released her grip and threw the tablet to the ground.

Everyone was startled. Especially Yi Shangshu and Mrs. Xue, who were about to bend down to grab the tablet, when Yi Ling suddenly turned, drawing a knife from one of the guards.

Taking a deep breath, in front of everyone, she swung the knife hard at the memorial tablet.

With a loud “Kuang Dang,” the entire Hongzhao Alley seemed to freeze.

After chopping the tablet, Yi Ling felt a brief moment of dizziness, took two steps back while holding the knife, and then gave a bitter smile as she looked at the shattered remains on the ground.

She had never felt so exhilarated.

The humiliation from the Xue family and the despair from her parents were all shattered with this single blow, torn apart by the wind.

Perhaps it was fate helping her—her strike was precise and steady, splitting the tablet evenly in half.

When everyone snapped out of it, there was an uproar.

Shen Shufang, who had followed behind, had never witnessed such a scene, even as the dignified Princess Consort.

Although she didn’t understand, she firmly believed— 

The talented woman from Shang University must have her reasons for doing this!

So, Shen Shufang was momentarily stunned, but then clapped his hands and loudly said, “Madam, you truly deserve to be the top talent in Great Liang. This method is brilliant!”

The Minister and his wife, along with Mrs. Xue, were still immersed in the shock of the ancestral tablet being cut and hadn’t noticed the Crown Princess’s arrival.

The minister was somewhat composed, but his eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before him.

Mrs. Xue had already cried out and rushed forward, shouting, “My daughter-in-law! ”

After a long while, the minister slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with fury, but he still tried to suppress his words.

“This… This is an imperial-bestowed tablet!”

“Does Lord Yi have any objections?”

Yi Ling stared at the tablet on the ground, completely unbothered.

Since someone dared to challenge even the princess personally, carrying an additional imperial bestowed tablet should be no big deal, right?

She spoke calmly, “Then go discuss it with my husband.”

Yi Shangshu (Minister Yi): “……”